Week 3 Chapter 5 Skeletal System Key Terms

acetabulum

The bony socket in the hip bone that holds the head of the femur (from the Latin word for vinegar because it resembles the base of a vinegar cruet)

articulation

A joint (adj: articular)

atlas

the first cervical vertebra (root: atlant/o)

axis

the second cervical vertebra

bone

A calcified form of dense connective tissue; osseous tissue; also an individual unit of the skeleton made of such tissue (root: oste/o)

bone marrow

The soft material that fills the cavities of bones. Yellow marrow fills the central cavity of the long bones; blood cells are formed in red bone marrow, which is located in spongy bone tissue (root: myel/o)

bursa

A fluid-filled sac that reduces friction near a joint (root: burs/o)

cartilage

A type of dense connective tissue that is found in the skeleton, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. It is the precursor to most bone tissue (root: chondr/o)

diarthrosis

A freely movable joint; also called a synovial join; adjective: diarthrotic

diaphysis

the shaft of a long bone

epiphyseal plate

The growth region of a long bone; located in the metaphysis, between the diaphysis and epiphysis. When bone growth ceases, this area appears as the epiphyseal line

epiphysis

the irregularly shaped end of a long bone

ilium

The large, flared, superior portion of the pelvic bone; adjective: iliac (root: ili/o)

joint

The junction between two bones; articulation (root: arthr/o)

ligament

A strong band of connective tissue that joins one bone to another

metaphysis

the region of a long bone between the diaphysis (shaft) and epiphysis (end); during development, the growing region of a long bone

ossification

The formation of bone tissue (from Latin os, meaning “bone”)

osteoblast

A cell that produces bone tissue

osteoclast

A cell that destroys bone tissue

osteocyte

A mature bone cell that nourishes and maintains bone tissue

pelvis

The large ring of bone at the inferior trunk. Formed of the two hip bones (os coxae) joined to the sacrum and coccyx (plural: pelves). Each os coxae is formed of three bones, the superior, flared ilium; the ischium; and the pubis

periosteum

The fibrous membrane that covers the surface of a bone

resorption

Removal of bone by breakdown and absorption into the circulation

skeleton

The bony framework of the body, consisting of 206 bones. The axial portion (80 bones) is composed of the skull, spinal column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton (126 bones) contains the bones of the arms and legs, shoulder girdle, and pelvis

suture

An immovable joint, such as the joints between the skull bones

symphysis

A slightly movable joint

synovial fluid

The fluid contained in a freely movable (diarthrotic) joint; synovia (root: synov/i)

synovial joint

A freely movable joint; has a joint cavity containing synovial fluid; a diarthrosis

tendon

A fibrous band of connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone

thorax

The upper part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen; formed by the 12 pairs of ribs and sternum

ankylosing spondylitis

A chronic, progressive inflammatory disease involving the joints of the spine and surrounding soft tissue, most common in young males; also called rheumatoid spondylitis

ankylosis

Immobility and fixation of a joint

arthritis

Inflammation of a joint

chondrosarcoma

A malignant tumor of cartilage

curvature of the spine

An exaggerated spinal curve, such as scoliosis, lordosis, or kyphosis

degenerative joint disease (DJD)

osteoarthritis

fracture

a break in a bone. In a closed or simple fracture, the broken bone does not penetrate the skin; in an open fracture, there is an accompanying wound in the skin

gout

A form of acute arthritis, usually beginning in the knee or foot, caused by deposit of uric acid salts in the joints

herniated disk

Protrusion of the center (nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disk into the spinal canal; ruptured or “slipped” disk

kyphosis

An exaggerated curve of the spine in the thoracic region; hunchback, humpback

lordosis

An exaggerated curve of the spine in the lumbar region; swayback

osteoarthritis (OA)

Progressive deterioration of joint cartilage with growth of new bone and soft tissue in and around the joint; the most common form of arthritis; results from wear and tear, injury, or disease; also called degenerative joint disease (DJD)

osteogenic sarcoma

A malignant bone tumor; osteosarcoma

osteomalacia

A softening and weakening of the bones due to vitamin D deficiency or other disease

osteomyelitis

Inflammation of bone and bone marrow caused by infection, usually bacterial

osteopenia

A lower than average bone density, which may foreshadow osteoporosis

osteoporosis

A condition characterized by reduction in bone density, most common in white women past menopause; predisposing factors include poor diet, inactivity, and low estrogen levels

paget disease

Skeletal disease of the elderly characterized by bone thickening and distortion with bowing of long bones; osteitis deformans

pott disease

Inflammation of the vertebrae, usually caused by tuberculosis

rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

A chronic autoimmune disease of unknown origin resulting in inflammation of peripheral joints and related structures; more common in women than in men

rheumatoid factor

A group of antibodies found in the blood in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic diseases

rickets

Faulty bone formation in children, usually caused by a deficiency of vitamin D

sciatica

Severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, usually related to spinal nerve root irritation

scoliosis

A sideways curvature of the spine in any region

spondylolisthesis

A forward displacement of one vertebra over another (-listhesis means “a slipping”)

spondylolysis

Degeneration of the articulating portions of a vertebra allowing for spinal distortion, specifically in the lumbar region

alkaline phosphatase

An enzyme needed in the formation of bone; serum activity of this enzyme is useful in diagnosis

arthrocentesis

Aspiration of fluid from a joint by needle puncture

arthrodesis

Surgical immobilization (fusion) of a joint; artificial ankylosis

arthroplasty

Partial or total replacement of a joint with a prosthesis

arthroscopy

Use of an endoscope to examine the interior of a joint or to perform surgery on the joint; the instrument used is an arthroscope

diskectomy

Surgical removal of a herniated intervertebral disk; also spelled discectomy

orthopedics

The study and treatment of disorders of the skeleton, muscles, and associated structures; literally “straight” (ortho) “child” (ped); also spelled orthopaedics

reduction of a fracture

Return of a fractured bone to a normal position; may be closed (not requiring surgery) or open (requiring surgery)

traction

The process of drawing or pulling, such as traction of the head in the treatment of injuries to the cervical vertebrae

antiinflammatory agent

Drug that reduces inflammation; includes steroids, such as hydrocortisone, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

bisphosphonate

Agent used to prevent and treat osteoporosis; increases bone mass by decreasing bone turnover. Examples are alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and ibandronate (Boniva)

nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)

Drug that reduces inflammation but is not a steroid; examples include aspirin and ibuprofen and other inhibitors of prostaglandins, naturally produced substances that promote inflammation

selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)

Drug that acts on estrogen receptors. Raloxifene (Evista) is used to prevent bone loss after menopause. Other SERMs are used to prevent and treat estrogen-sensitive breast cancer